The Wade family searched for the perfect tree at Dave's Evergreens in Albuquerque, even though money is tight this year.But the economy doesn't seem to be keeping people away from Christmas tree lots."We haven't had any slow down at all," said Dave Velasquez of Dave's Evergreens. "In fact we're doing better than some of the past years."He's been in business 37 years, chopping down the trees himself, and getting them ready to decorate living rooms all over Albuquerque.Although this isn't his best year, he said he's seen worse."I can recall about five or six years ago we had a real bad one," he said. "I was stuck with 500, 600 trees that year."This year, customers are still willing to part with a little green to take home some Christmas green."I'm not going to let the economy get in the way of a holiday," said Wade.Customers are just trying to make their dollars go further."We save by not eating out and that type of thing," Wade said. "So yeah trees are important."Like many of the customers on Sunday, the Wades are looking for a smaller tree this year."Just something, not like the Charlie Brown Christmas tree, not quite like that," she said. "Not real big, just something festive and in our price range."Several lots in Albuquerque said it's the same story -- plenty of customers, but they're buying smaller, less expensive trees.Some lots in town are lowering their prices or offering discounts to encourage people to buy.Lot owners said warmer weather, or a long Christmas season, when Thanksgiving falls early, make tree sales difficult.

The Wade family searched for the perfect tree at Dave's Evergreens in Albuquerque, even though money is tight this year.

But the economy doesn't seem to be keeping people away from Christmas tree lots.

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"We haven't had any slow down at all," said Dave Velasquez of Dave's Evergreens. "In fact we're doing better than some of the past years."

He's been in business 37 years, chopping down the trees himself, and getting them ready to decorate living rooms all over Albuquerque.

Although this isn't his best year, he said he's seen worse.

"I can recall about five or six years ago we had a real bad one," he said. "I was stuck with 500, 600 trees that year."

This year, customers are still willing to part with a little green to take home some Christmas green.

"I'm not going to let the economy get in the way of a holiday," said Wade.

Customers are just trying to make their dollars go further.

"We save by not eating out and that type of thing," Wade said. "So yeah trees are important."

Like many of the customers on Sunday, the Wades are looking for a smaller tree this year.

"Just something, not like the Charlie Brown Christmas tree, not quite like that," she said. "Not real big, just something festive and in our price range."

Several lots in Albuquerque said it's the same story -- plenty of customers, but they're buying smaller, less expensive trees.

Some lots in town are lowering their prices or offering discounts to encourage people to buy.

Lot owners said warmer weather, or a long Christmas season, when Thanksgiving falls early, make tree sales difficult.